In a front-page Oregonian story, English Professor David Sumner said liberal arts graduates develop an intellectual agility that allows them to create their own jobs. Linfield graduate and entrepreneur Dakota Witzenburg ’00 (pictured) was profiled in the feature story.

Fields like math, biology, history, music, philosophy or languages may not offer clearly defined paths to careers, said The Oregonian, but for students looking to create their own jobs, the liberal arts offer advantages.

“Liberal arts graduates can draw on creativity, strong and ordered minds, broad cultural perspectives and the ability to communicate,” Sumner says. “A liberal arts education gives you an intellectual agility that you don’t get in a more specific vocational degree.”

Four Oregon liberal arts graduates were profiled, including Witzenburg, who founded todosomething. He designs and makes furniture and cabinetry for interior designers, artists, architects, homeowners and, occasionally, a film or television producer. A chair he designed won a starring role in a romantic drama.